Former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised alarm over the growing hunger crisis in the country.
In a statement shared today on his official social media platform to mark World Food Day, Obi called attention to the dire food insecurity situation facing millions of Nigerians, as food prices skyrocket and many households struggle to afford basic necessities.
He said, “Severe hunger has now become an unfortunate member of many households in Nigeria.
“Today, it is heartbreaking to note that most Nigerian households are no longer able to afford sustenance food with their income.
“Food prices are soaring, food inflation is skyrocketing, the food crisis is worsening by the day, and hunger has graduated to a national crisis.”
Obi lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast arable land, the nation is grappling with a severe food crisis.
He described the current situation as “heartbreaking” and warned of worsening conditions unless the government takes swift action.
He referenced a recent World Bank Food Security Update, which compared Nigeria’s food crisis to war-torn countries like Yemen, with millions of Nigerians acutely short of food.
According to Obi, the Global Hunger Index now ranks Nigeria among the 20 hungriest nations in the world, with over 31.8 million Nigerians facing acute food shortages, including 15.6 million children.
Obi also mentioned the United Nations grim forecast that by 2030, 64% of Nigerians or around 82 million people could go hungry if urgent measures are not taken.
Calling for an urgent shift from consumption to production, Obi stressed the need for significant investments in agriculture.
He pointed to Nigeria’s northern region, particularly Niger State, which has vast uncultivated land, as a missed opportunity.
Comparing it to the Netherlands, which exports over $100 billion in agricultural products annually, he said Nigeria could achieve similar success if it addressed issues like insecurity and adopted modern mechanized farming techniques.
Obi concluded by urging the government to prioritize food security, warning that hunger is not only an economic problem but a looming national crisis that threatens the nation’s stability.
He stated that his vision for a “New, more prosperous Nigeria” includes a nation free from hunger, with productivity booming in agriculture.
